Snowstorm tally

   The low pressure system that gave us periods of snow, rain, freezing rain and sleet yesterday into today is finally moving away. There were power outages in parts of the Twin Cities metro area as freezing rain coated power lines and trees. The wet snow and winds that followed made the situation worse in some spots.

   Snow amounts varied quite a bit around the metro area.  I measured 4.2 inches of snow in Minnetonka, but the official total at MSP airport was lower, at 2.8 inches through midday. This storm didn’t top our biggest snowfall of the winter at MSP, the 4.4 inches that fell on December 3 and December 4.  Areas that saw an earlier changeover from rain to snow last night had the highest snow totals. As expected, most south metro locations saw less snow than those in the north metro.  For example, Jordan (in Scott county) reported only one inch, while Andover (in Anoka county) had over seven inches!

   Here are some snowfall totals from the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
149 PM CST WED FEB 29 2012
...SNOWFALL TOTALS FROM THE FEBRUARY 28-29TH WINTER STORM...

SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT

INCHES    LOCATION         ST     COUNTY    TIME
-----------  -----------------------  ---    --------------   -------
15.90   13 NNE BRUCE             WI  RUSK             0840 AM
13.50   2 S RICE LAKE            WI  BARRON           0802 AM
13.00   HAUGEN                   WI  BARRON           0142 PM
13.00   CUMBERLAND               WI  BARRON           0826 AM
12.50   4 S ISLAND LAKE          WI  CHIPPEWA         0812 AM
12.00   CHETEK                   WI  BARRON           0953 AM
12.00   1 NW RICE LAKE           WI  BARRON           0915 AM
                 12 INCHES ESTIMATED...STILL SOME FALLING
                 LIGHT SNOW
12.00   6 NW RICE LAKE           WI  BARRON           0811 AM
12.00   3 SW CARLOS              MN  DOUGLAS          0721 AM
12.00   RUSH CITY                MN  CHISAGO          0720 AM
12.00   ALEXANDRIA               MN  DOUGLAS          0414 AM
                 APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT OF SNOW SO FAR.
11.50   MILLERVILLE              MN  DOUGLAS          1122 AM
11.50   BOWLUS                   MN  MORRISON         0700 AM
10.50   CAMBRIDGE                MN  ISANTI           1250 PM
10.50   NORTH BRANCH             MN  CHISAGO          1236 PM
10.50   MORA                     MN  KANABEC          1006 AM
10.40   CHETEK                   WI  BARRON           0621 AM
10.00   KIMBALL                  MN  STEARNS          1101 AM
10.00   3 N BOYCEVILLE           WI  DUNN             0700 AM
  9.80   3 N MENOMONIE            WI  DUNN             0742 AM
  9.70   COLFAX                   WI  DUNN             0600 AM
  9.50   ST CLOUD                 MN  STEARNS          1115 AM
  9.40   8 NW MORA                MN  KANABEC          1214 PM
  9.00   WHEELER                  WI  DUNN             0146 PM
  9.00   4 W CORNELL              WI  CHIPPEWA         0925 AM
  9.00   ISANTI                   MN  ISANTI           0845 AM
  9.00   BLOOMER                  WI  CHIPPEWA         0835 AM
  9.00   10 N CENTER CITY         MN  CHISAGO          0800 AM
  8.80   5 E CLAYTON              WI  BARRON           1043 AM
                 MEASURED OFF THE TOP OF THE CAR...
  8.00   ELK MOUND                WI  DUNN             0920 AM
                 8 INCHES OF SNOW...0.75 INCHES OF RAIN PRIOR
                 TO THE SNOWFALL
  8.00   2 N SAUK CENTRE          MN  STEARNS          0908 AM
  8.00   SAUK RAPIDS              MN  BENTON           0908 AM
  8.00   ELK RIVER                MN  SHERBURNE        0835 AM
  8.00   SARTELL                  MN  STEARNS          0700 AM
  8.00   MORA                     MN  KANABEC          0450 AM
  7.90   CHIPPEWA FALLS           WI  CHIPPEWA         0742 AM
  7.80   ST CLOUD                 MN  STEARNS          1215 PM
                 MEASURED AT THE PRISON.
  7.80   CLAYTON                  WI  POLK             0812 AM
  7.80   MENOMONIE                WI  DUNN             0726 AM
  7.50   ANDOVER                  MN  ANOKA            0812 AM
  7.50   FALL CREEK               WI  EAU CLAIRE       0742 AM
  7.20   MONTICELLO               MN  WRIGHT           1215 PM
  7.20   7 S HILLMAN              MN  MORRISON         1111 AM
  7.00   GLENWOOD                 MN  POPE             1232 PM
                 PRECIPITATION AMOUNT 0.65 INCHES.
  7.00   LORETTO                  MN  HENNEPIN         1214 PM
  7.00   MILACA                   MN  MILLE LACS       0835 AM
  7.00   STANLEY                  WI  CHIPPEWA         0835 AM
  7.00   OSCEOLA                  WI  POLK             0834 AM
  7.00   KIMBALL                  MN  STEARNS          0600 AM
  7.00   LADYSMITH                WI  RUSK             0453 AM
  7.00   BARRON                   WI  BARRON           0416 AM
  6.50   CLEAR LAKE               WI  POLK             0749 AM
  6.50   ANDOVER                  MN  ANOKA            0652 AM
  6.50   1 N LITTLE FALLS         MN  MORRISON         0630 AM
  6.50   2 SSW CAMBRIDGE          MN  ISANTI           0547 AM
  6.50   MENOMONIE                WI  DUNN             0503 AM
  6.20   MAPLE GROVE              MN  HENNEPIN         0702 AM
  6.00   NORTH BRANCH             MN  CHISAGO          1122 AM
                 WATER EQUIVALENT OF .96 INCHES.
  6.00   2 N GILMAN               MN  BENTON           1043 AM
  6.00   SAUK RAPIDS              MN  BENTON           0630 AM
  6.00   LITCHFIELD               MN  MEEKER           0628 AM
  6.00   DELANO                   MN  WRIGHT           0545 AM
  6.00   LITTLE FALLS             MN  MORRISON         0414 AM
  5.60   MONTICELLO               MN  WRIGHT           0600 AM
  5.50   SAUK RAPIDS              MN  BENTON           0610 AM
  5.50   JIM FALLS                WI  CHIPPEWA         0514 AM
  5.50   JIM FALLS                WI  CHIPPEWA         0500 AM
  5.30   ALBANY                   MN  STEARNS          0517 AM
  5.00   BLAINE                   MN  ANOKA            1101 AM
  5.00   CHAMPLIN                 MN  HENNEPIN         0520 AM
  4.80   EAU CLAIRE               WI  EAU CLAIRE       0743 AM
  4.70   8 S HILLMAN              MN  MORRISON         0439 AM
  4.50   GLENCOE                  MN  MCLEOD           1101 AM
  4.50   WILLMAR                  MN  KANDIYOHI        0600 AM
  4.50   ANNANDALE                MN  WRIGHT           0541 AM
  4.40   NEW HOPE                 MN  HENNEPIN         0639 AM
  4.30   CHANHASSEN               MN  CARVER           1215 PM
                 MEASURED AT THE NWS OFFICE.
  4.30   LESTER PRAIRIE           MN  MCLEOD           0835 AM
  4.20   WATERTOWN                MN  CARVER           0908 AM
  4.10   ST LOUIS PARK            MN  HENNEPIN         1214 PM
  4.10   LONG PRAIRIE             MN  TODD             0630 AM
  4.00   BROWNTON                 MN  MCLEOD           1015 AM
                 1.7 INCHES WATER EQUIVALENT.
  4.00   ST CROIX FALLS           WI  POLK             0835 AM
  4.00   CHASKA                   MN  CARVER           0600 AM
  3.90   CHANHASSEN               MN  CARVER           0600 AM
  3.70   COON RAPIDS              MN  ANOKA            0617 AM
  3.50   EAU CLAIRE               WI  EAU CLAIRE       0600 AM
  3.40   FOREST LAKE              MN  WASHINGTON       0835 AM
  3.10   5 NW MINNEAPOLIS         MN  HENNEPIN         0600 AM
  3.00   VESTA                    MN  REDWOOD          1031 AM
                 1.28 INCHES OF PRECIPITATION.
  3.00   NORTH ST PAUL            MN  RAMSEY           0930 AM
  3.00   LITCHFIELD               MN  MEEKER           0417 AM
  2.80   MINNEAPOLIS              MN  HENNEPIN         1215 PM
                 MEASURED AT THE MINNEAPOLIS INTERNATIONAL
                 AIRPORT.
  2.70   2 NE MINNEAPOLIS         MN  HENNEPIN         0720 AM
  2.50   WINTHROP                 MN  SIBLEY           0730 AM
  2.30   HAMBURG                  MN  CARVER           0835 AM
  2.00   INVER GROVE HEIGHTS      MN  DAKOTA           0139 PM
  1.70   REDWOOD FALLS            MN  REDWOOD          0500 AM
  1.60   2 W PRIOR LAKE           MN  SCOTT            0700 AM
  1.50   SHAKOPEE                 MN  SCOTT            1031 AM
  1.20   GAYLORD                  MN  SIBLEY           0835 AM
  1.00   NORTH MANKATO            MN  NICOLLET         0835 AM
  1.00   JORDAN                   MN  SCOTT            0835 AM
  0.50   3 SE NEW ULM             MN  BROWN            0835 AM

Storm track changes

   Computer models are now showing a more northerly track for the low pressure system that will move through the upper midwest Tuesday into Wednesday. 

   That means that the Twin Cities area would see some snow develop on Tuesday, followed by a rain/snow/sleet/freezing rain mix later Tuesday, changing to mostly snow by Wednesday. There is plenty of moisture with this storm system, and some areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin could see double-digit snow totals. Areas that see any periods of rain would see much lower snow totals.

   You can check back with your favorite broadcast/Internet meteorologists or go to the National Weather Service website http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx/ for the latest watches and warnings for this winter storm.

Big snowstorm is possible

   We haven’t seen a major snowstorm in the Twin Cities this winter.  Our biggest “snowstorm” was the 4.4 inch snowfall way back on December 3 into the early morning hours of December 4.  At MSP airport (where official Twin Cities weather measurements are taken) our 2011-2012 snow season total is only 18.2 inches.  That’s about 22 inches below average for this point in our snow season.  By February 26 last winter, we had seen a whopping 76.5 inches of snow!

   Computer models are showing the potential for a big snowstorm this Tuesday into Wednesday.  Several inches of snow (even some double digit amounts) could accumulate as the snowstorm churns its way through the upper midwest.  It is still a couple of days away, which means that the storm track could change.  Computer models also show the potential for a layer of warm air a few thousand feet above the ground on Tuesday.  That could give us some rain or even freezing rain mixed with the snow on Tuesday, which would lower our snow amounts.  Here is a peek at the latest NAM (North American Mesoscale) model from the National Weather Service.  It shows a low pressure system over southwestern Nebraska at noon on Tuesday, with precipitation already accumulating over much of Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin :

   Below is the image for 6am Wednesday.  The center of the low pressure system is just south of MSP, with snow falling over most of Minnesota and Wisconsin:   

   The projected track and strength of the low pressure system may very well change, which would affect our snowfall amounts.  You can check back with your favorite broadcast/Internet meteorologists and go to the National Weather Service website http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx/ for updates on the snowstorm over the next few days.

Biggest snow since early December

    I could see most of my lawn yesterday morning, but now it's covered with a blanket of snow.  It was fun to watch the snow falling Monday evening, with gusty winds blowing it sideways at times.  Roads were slick while it was snowing, but the main roads are just wet, not slippery, at midday today.

    The “storm” total at MSP airport was 2.7 inches.  Hard to believe, but that is our biggest official snowfall in the Twin Cities in over two and a half months.  You have to go all the way back to December 3 and early December 4, when we saw 4.4” at MSP, for a higher snow total.  Snow totals were over 4 inches in parts of the metro area Monday evening.  Here is a list of snow totals, from the Twin Cities National Weather Service office:
  

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1125 AM CST TUE FEB 21 2012

...SNOWFALL TOTALS FOR FEBRUARY 20TH AND 21ST...

THE TOTALS BELOW ARE SEPARATED INTO SNOW...AND ICE AND SLEET
CATEGORIES...THEN BY AMOUNT...AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE
FINAL AMOUNT FOR EACH LOCATION.

SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT

INCHES  LOCATION                 ST       COUNTY      TIME OF REPORT
------  -----------------------  --  --------------   -------
  5.50   SW MILLERVILLE           MN  DOUGLAS          0602 AM
  5.20   MORA                     MN  KANABEC          0700 AM
  5.00   PLYMOUTH                 MN  HENNEPIN         0349 AM
  4.80   2 ENE PLYMOUTH           MN  HENNEPIN         0700 AM
  4.70   SW LONG LAKE             MN  HENNEPIN         0635 AM
  4.50   1 NNW CRYSTAL            MN  HENNEPIN         0700 AM
  4.50   1 NNW NORTH ST PAUL      MN  RAMSEY           0630 AM
  4.50   NORTH ST PAUL            MN  RAMSEY           0539 AM
  4.10   NEW HOPE                 MN  HENNEPIN         0732 AM
  4.00   ST LOUIS PARK            MN  HENNEPIN         0847 AM
  4.00   1 NE STILLWATER          MN  WASHINGTON       0800 AM
  4.00   SPRINGFIELD              MN  BROWN            0747 AM
  4.00   STILLWATER               MN  WASHINGTON       0700 AM
  3.80   INVER GROVE HEIGHTS      MN  DAKOTA           0747 AM
  3.80   1 ENE INVER GROVE HEIGH  MN  DAKOTA           0700 AM
  3.80   1 WNW RICHFIELD          MN  HENNEPIN         0500 AM
  3.70   1 N WOODBURY             MN  WASHINGTON       0700 AM
  3.60   5 NW MORA                MN  KANABEC          0847 AM
  3.50   RUSH CITY                MN  CHISAGO          0732 AM
  3.50   MILACA                   MN  MILLE LACS       0730 AM
  3.50   3 SE LAKE ELMO           MN  WASHINGTON       0700 AM
  3.50   CHANHASSEN               MN  CARVER           0540 AM
                 MEASURED AT THE NWS FORECAST OFFICE
  3.40   CHASKA                   MN  CARVER           0600 AM
  3.10   ONAMIA                   MN  MILLE LACS       0800 AM
  3.10   LONG PRAIRIE             MN  TODD             0600 AM
  3.00   1 ESE CHASKA             MN  CARVER           0820 AM
  3.00   1 ENE ST MICHAEL         MN  WRIGHT           0800 AM
  3.00   3 N BOYCEVILLE           WI  DUNN             0800 AM
  3.00   CARLOS                   MN  DOUGLAS          0747 AM
  3.00   WSW LITTLE CANADA        MN  RAMSEY           0730 AM
  3.00   3 N CAMBRIDGE            MN  ISANTI           0700 AM
  3.00   HOLCOMBE                 WI  CHIPPEWA         0700 AM
  3.00   BALDWIN                  WI  ST. CROIX        0700 AM
  3.00   1 SSW RIVER FALLS        WI  PIERCE           0700 AM
  3.00   3 WNW ROSEMOUNT          MN  DAKOTA           0700 AM
  3.00   7 S HILLMAN              MN  MORRISON         0658 AM
  3.00   WACONIA                  MN  CARVER           0652 AM
  3.00   2 SW EAGAN               MN  DAKOTA           0630 AM
  3.00   NNW WATERTOWN            MN  CARVER           0445 AM
  2.90   4 NW ONAMIA              MN  MILLE LACS       0800 AM
  2.90   CARVER                   MN  CARVER           0700 AM
  2.90   FOREST LAKE              MN  WASHINGTON       0700 AM
  2.80   ROBERTS                  WI  ST. CROIX        0800 AM
  2.80   1 SW EDINA               MN  HENNEPIN         0700 AM
  2.80   1 W WOODLAND             MN  HENNEPIN         0700 AM
  2.80   MENOMONIE                WI  DUNN             0658 AM
  2.80   RED WING                 MN  GOODHUE          0652 AM
  2.80   CAMBRIDGE                MN  ISANTI           0548 AM
  2.80   ANNANDALE                MN  WRIGHT           0500 AM
  2.80   FOREST LAKE              MN  WASHINGTON       0450 AM
  2.70   1 NNE MAPLE GROVE        MN  HENNEPIN         0730 AM
  2.70   1 SSE ROSEVILLE          MN  RAMSEY           0700 AM
  2.70   LAKEVILLE                MN  DAKOTA           0600 AM
  2.70   MINNEAPOLIS              MN  HENNEPIN         0557 AM
                 OBSERVED AT THE MINNEAPOLIS INTERNATIONAL
                 AIRPORT
  2.60   HASTINGS                 MN  DAKOTA           0640 AM
  2.60   SE LAUDERDALE            MN  HENNEPIN         0600 AM
  2.50   NW PRESCOTT              WI  PIERCE           0800 AM
  2.50   SAUK RAPIDS              MN  BENTON           0732 AM
  2.50   2 W PRIOR LAKE           MN  SCOTT            0700 AM
  2.50   CLARA CITY               MN  CHIPPEWA         0700 AM
  2.50   2 SE CHETEK              WI  BARRON           0700 AM
  2.50   ST CLOUD                 MN  STEARNS          0611 AM
                 MEASURED AT THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
  2.50   ANDOVER                  MN  ANOKA            0600 AM
  2.50   3 SSE HAM LAKE           MN  ANOKA            0600 AM
  2.50   3 NE BURNSVILLE          MN  DAKOTA           0600 AM
  2.50   4 ESE NEW PRAGUE         MN  RICE             0500 AM
  2.20   ST PAUL                  MN  RAMSEY           0841 AM
  2.20   2 WNW LADYSMITH          WI  RUSK             0700 AM
  2.20   ST CLOUD                 MN  STEARNS          0600 AM
                 MEASURED AT ST CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
  2.00   ELK MOUND                WI  DUNN             0815 AM
  2.00   MORRIS                   MN  STEVENS          0800 AM
  2.00   6 ESE DRESSER            WI  POLK             0800 AM
  2.00   BLOOMER                  WI  CHIPPEWA         0800 AM
  2.00   DURAND                   WI  PEPIN            0800 AM
  2.00   STANLEY                  WI  CHIPPEWA         0800 AM
  2.00   1 SE NORTHFIELD          MN  RICE             0737 AM
  2.00   SW ELLENDALE             MN  STEELE           0700 AM
  2.00   DUNDAS                   MN  RICE             0700 AM
  2.00   RICE                     MN  BENTON           0700 AM
  2.00   MONTEVIDEO               MN  CHIPPEWA         0700 AM
  2.00   1 SW LITTLE FALLS        MN  MORRISON         0635 AM
  2.00   LITTLE FALLS             MN  MORRISON         0630 AM
  2.00   1 SSW LONSDALE           MN  RICE             0600 AM
  2.00   KIMBALL                  MN  STEARNS          0600 AM
  2.00   3 ENE MONTGOMERY         MN  RICE             0530 AM
  2.00   5 NNE BIG LAKE           MN  SHERBURNE        0500 AM
  1.90   WILLMAR                  MN  KANDIYOHI        0600 AM
  1.90   JIM FALLS                WI  CHIPPEWA         0530 AM
  1.80   AUGUSTA                  WI  EAU CLAIRE       0800 AM
  1.80   1 S HAMPTON              MN  DAKOTA           0800 AM
  1.80   MELROSE                  MN  STEARNS          0700 AM
  1.70   ALBERT LEA               MN  FREEBORN         0800 AM
  1.70   HASTINGS                 MN  DAKOTA           0600 AM
  1.60   JORDAN                   MN  SCOTT            0530 AM
  1.50   1 WNW GREEN ISLE         MN  SIBLEY           0800 AM
  1.50   SHERBURN                 MN  MARTIN           0700 AM
  1.50   9 NNE BIRD ISLAND        MN  RENVILLE         0630 AM
  1.50   5 SE PRIOR LAKE          MN  SCOTT            0556 AM
  1.50   WINTHROP                 MN  SIBLEY           0515 AM
  1.50   REDWOOD FALLS            MN  REDWOOD          0500 AM
  1.40   EAU CLAIRE               WI  EAU CLAIRE       1000 AM
  1.40   1 SSE SARTELL            MN  STEARNS          0700 AM
  1.40   5 NNE WILLMAR            MN  KANDIYOHI        0700 AM
  1.30   E OWATONNA               MN  STEELE           0630 AM
  1.20   NE FAIRMONT              MN  MARTIN           0700 AM
  1.00   WINNEBAGO                MN  FARIBAULT        0800 AM
  1.00   ZUMBROTA                 MN  GOODHUE          0700 AM
  1.00   HUTCHINSON               MN  MCLEOD           0700 AM
  1.00   RED WING                 MN  GOODHUE          0600 AM
  1.00   1 NNW COLD SPRING        MN  STEARNS          0600 AM

    Here is a map of the snowfall: 

    We could see some flakes at times the remainder of this week,  but forecasters are also looking carefully at computer models that show the potential for a snowstorm in the upper midwest on Sunday and Sunday night.  Double-digit snowfall totals are possible in some spots, including the Twin Cities, late this weekend.  The storm could take a different track, but you'll want to pay attention to forecasts as we get closer to the weekend.

Warm winter, what about March?

    We all know that this has been an unusually warm winter.  Meteorologists typically use the three coolest months (December, January and February) when they are discussing “winter”.  This winter may very well go down as the third or fourth warmest in Twin Cities history, based on data that goes back to 1872.  We’ll tally up the final numbers after leap day, February 29th.

    Our streak of balmy weather could continue into March.  The March temperature outlook from the Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service shows a strong trend for above normal temperatures :

    The temperature outlook is for the entire month, and it does not mean that we won’t see some cool days in March.  By the way, the precipitation outlook for March shows just a slight trend toward above normal precipitation :

   

    Long-term averages show that March is our second snowiest month in the Twin Cities, second only to January.  Mild temperatures could mean less snow and more rain…we’ll see.

  

   

Brain freeze

   Late Friday morning I felt “brain freeze” for the first time this winter.  The temperature was 8 above zero, but 17 mph winds created a wind chill temperature of 10 below zero.  Walking into the wind, my (uncovered) head felt like it was turning into an ice blob. It felt much better when I walked back the other way, and downright toasty when I returned to my car.

   We’ve had very few encounters with arctic air this winter.  You might remember that we didn’t drop below zero in the Twin Cities until the final hour of January 18th.  The following morning we hit our lowest temperature of the winter, at 11 below zero.  Our temperature has dropped below zero on only 3 days this winter.  Here is a list (compiled by the Minnesota State Climatology Office) of winters with the fewest days of below-zero low temperatures.

Twin Cities Least Number of Below Zero Minimums in a Winter

Rank   Year    Number of days below zero (1872-2012)

-------------------------------

1.)  2001-2002   2 

2.)  2011-2012   3*

3.)  1877-1878   4

4.)  1930-1931   5

5.)  2005-2006   6

6.)  1881-1882   7

6.)  1986-1987   7

8.)  1982-1983   8

9.)  1920-1921   9

10.) 1997-1998  10

*Through February 11

   Only the winter of 2001-02 had fewer dips below zero.  In case you’re wondering, we have an average of about 30 days per winter with a low temperature below zero. 

    This arctic dip won’t last very long. Temperatures start to rebound nicely Sunday afternoon, and another stretch of above-normal high temperatures should begin on Monday. 

January was warm for most Americans

    I recently wrote about January being the 8th warmest January in Twin Cities history, using data that goes back to 1872.  NOAA ( the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ) has posted a map of January temperature rankings for the continental United States.  Here it is:
    The map shows that Minnesota had its 5th warmest January in the past 118 years...ranking 114 out of 118 with 118 being the warmest January.  It is amazing that 46 out of 48 states were either above normal or much above normal in temperature last month.  Only Florida and Washington state were near normal.

    Is it any wonder that some people were able to golf in Minnesota in January? :

   More info on my January golf story can be found at http://rontrenda.blogspot.com/2012/01/jamuary-golf-in-minnesota.html
   We topped out at 46 degrees yesterday in the Twin Cities, but temperatures are much cooler today.  It has been so warm this winter that it feels chilly to some of us when temperatures dip back to "normal".

Should we have “Gopher Day” in Minnesota?

    Every February 2nd, a groundhog named Phil in Pennsylvania gets a lot of press coverage.  According to folklore, if Phil sees his shadow on the morning of February 2nd, there will be six more weeks of winter.  If he doesn’t see his shadow, there will be an early spring.  Out East, people are probably disappointed when the verdict is six more weeks of winter.  Here in Minnesota, winter almost never ends in February, so six more weeks of winter is our version of an “early spring”.

    Of course, the amount of sunshine on any given morning isn’t an accurate predictor of the arrival of spring.  But, if we’re going to have a “groundhog day” ritual, we can create one that fits our climate.  In Minnesota, it should be later in the month, maybe around February 28th.  And we’d prefer to watch a gopher, not a groundhog.  Our “folklore” might go something like this: If the gopher sees its shadow on “Gopher Day”, winter will last into the middle of April.  If the gopher doesn’t see its shadow, winter will end by the third week of March.  We'd still have to come up with a good name for our gopher…any suggestions?